Packer Insider

Bob McGinn

Packer InsiderTuesday

Q:
Mark,
Las Vegas, Nevada
- Hi Bob,
Best player available would be the optimal drafting strategy provided all positions were of equal value. Most experts claim QB, LT, DL and cornerback are the 4-most important positions. Thus, these positions should be more heavily targeted provided the draft talent is equally distributed. What's the man say?

A: Bob McGinn
- Mark: IF everyone was starting with expansion teams it would be best player available at the most vital positions, as you suggest. QB is No. 1. By far. We all know that. I love pass rushers. CB is huge. Safety is underrated. And I'm starting to think WR might be as valuable as RB.

Q:
Steve,
Chicago
- Great job with the scouts quotes on the prospects. Very informative. I beat a dead horse with my special teams questions but dont you think a duel threat return guy like Trinden Holiday or Kyle Williams would have made more sense in the 6ft round. If your going to have a long snapper that just snaps( not even a back up lineman ) why wouldn't you have a very good returner that just returns both. If he's a 5th or 6th wideout than thats a bonus. Let Nelson and blackmon ( who's very good on punts when healthy ) concentrate on there positions and not risk injury. Thanx

A: Bob McGinn
- Steve: It wasn't a great year at returner. Holliday was a liability fielding punts; he dropped way too many. You can't have that. He will struggle in that regard with Houston. You watch. KC went up in D2 for Javier Arenas. OK, good return guy. But he's a 4.6 CB. What do you do with that? Maybe Starks, the GBP D6, will help on KOR. It is a problem. No doubt. Just not sure there was a whole lot to fill it out of this draft.

Q:
Jordan E.,
Neenah, WI
- I'm particularly curious about how this draft affects two Packer offensive lineman: Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini. Barbre failed as a tackle, but with all the uncertainty with the interior line, could he be a guard? He's strong and athletic, but just didn't seem to have the feet/technique to play tackle. As far as Giacomini goes -- will he be the backup (and possibly future) RT behind Tauscher, or will that be Lang? If after two years, Giacomini is STILL not ready to play, what has been the point??

A: Bob McGinn
- Jordan: I don't see Barbre having a future in GB. HE failed at guard. The game was too fast for him inside. Then he failed at RT. Couldn't pass protect. Giacomini is worth a look. But my guess is both Lang and Newhouse will prove to have better feet than Giacomini.

Q:
JimmyA,
Boca Raton/Fl
- According to every article written in the past three months a primary need of the Pack is a another OLB to go along with Matthews. In your opinion is there anyone on the current roster that is capable of raising their game and be that person?

A: Bob McGinn
- Jimmy: Brad Jones played light last year at 239. They're trying to get him up to 250. If he gets there, then he can have some physical impact on the game and might be able to use power rushes as a counter to edge stuff. HE is the best hope now. Poppinga is rugged vs. run but just a bull rusher. Obiozor has some potential. Then don't be surprised if one of the three Sam FAs ... Zomko, Knicky and Russell ... makes the team.

Q:
Jake,
Istanbul
- Hi Bob, I have an idea for an article although it may be more of Bedard's terrain. Choose one team (such as the Packers) and take Mel Kiper, Maycock and/or McShay's recommended picks of the last five years for that team for each round and compare them to one another as well as the real picks made by that team. See if those guys would be any good as GMs and if their suggested slots carry any weight. You could do it for three different teams. It might shed some light on the usefulness of these mockdrafts which are a lot of fun.
Question: Have you ever learned anything about a player's bust or elite potential by watching rookie orientation week? Any rookies ever make a very strong or very weak impression on you during this week? I'd love a couple names.
Keep up the great work!

A: Bob McGinn
- Jake: Under McCarthy, the media gets one 90-minute practice during this first weekend. Why all three days aren't open to reporters is completely beyond me. Just makes no sense. None. In answer to your question, you can't tell much of anything. I remember a few years ago thinking James Jones had good hands.

Q:
dr plot,
Black Mountain Nevada
- I was just curious, if Bulaga hadn't droped into Green Bays laps do you think they would have targeted Devin McCourty? I thought he was it on a stick and solved many of the Packers special team problems. I feel I had him pegged right as New England took him four picks later. If not McCourty, who do you think the Packers might have grabbed?

A: Bob McGinn
- DP: I think they would have taken Hughes.

Q:
John,
Carson City
- Bob, you had another great year of predraft articles and capsules. Special teams appear to be undisiplined and undermanned at the punter and return specialist area. Did we get anything in the draft and free agent area that will help us? If things don't get better, aren't we going to have to hold Slocum responsible and to some extent Thompson accountable? Thanks.

A: Bob McGinn
- John: Much depends on the two FA punters that were signed this winter. The person to be held accountable for ST is McCarthy. He hires the coaches. The entire team falls under his domain.

Q:
Dick Glad,
Roslyn, SD
- Hi Bob. I just want to commend you on another stellar job of reporting for the NFL draft. My question is this, do you ever think that some of these NFL sources that you talk with purposely give you misleading information to protect the best interests of their teams? By that I mean it wouldn't seem prudent on their part to build up a guy that their team may want to select. There just seems to be an inordinate number of negative comments about every prospect. I mean after reading the scouts take on Bryan Bulaga you would think that he shouldn't have been drafted at all. It seems that nearly all of the top prospects that you report on have one or more scouts saying "I think he will be a bust." Obviously, I have no clue as to whether any of these guys that just got drafted are going to make it in the NFL. Just as obvious is the guys you talk to are giving you a line of BS sometimes.

A: Bob McGinn
- Dick: I have known and dealt with some of these scouts for 30 years. They know they can trust me implicitly. Thus, they speak with great candor. Period. I am humbled that they share their thoughts so openly. I am merely an information gatherer. Maybe scouts play games in other media circles. Perhaps it does happen in my case as well, but if so not very darn often.

Q:
fan45,
Mequon, WI
- How good is B.J. Raji? Isn't it reasonable to expect a guy drafted that high to start by his second year, and if he doesn't, something is wrong? I'm still hoping he puts it all together and has a breakout year in 2010. Is that unrealistic?

A: Bob McGinn
- Fan: Raji had a very mediocre first season. Will he start? Where? Pickett is better than him holding the point. Ditto for Jolly. He's really not a RE. HE needs to be effective off the bench and become a fixture at DT on passing downs. That was one of the jobs the Packers had in mind when they took him at 9. Now he has to do it.

Q:
Digger,
Andover
- Hi Bob: Last Friday you asked specifically: "After two rounds, would the Packers be better off with Hughes and Brown, or Bulaga and Neal?" Now that the draft is over and TT stood pat at OLB (save for free agents), do you still stand behind this recomendation. Is there any way TT could have predicted Brown's slide? Wasn't Bulaga a lot better prospect than Brown? How can you second guess a gift like Bulaga at 23?

A: Bob McGinn
- Digger: TT and everyone else in GB are paid and employed to make great decisions, to anticipate, to be proactive. Brown had a bit of a medical (back, I believe), which is one reason that he slipped. Still, my guess is that Brown will pass block better than Bulaga at LT. So Hughes-Brown vs. Bulaga-Neal? I'd take Hughes-Brown. I know everyone is convinced Bulaga was a steal and will be a 10-year tackle, etc. But did you read those 21 comments in Friday's paper (the one from Bill Polian was on top of the page in a box)? Not very often have I ever typed in the pre-draft comments regarding a GB No. 1 pick and had less glowing praise. I don't know. But I know what the decision-makers told me before the draft. And that is absolutely the best way to measure any of the GBP picks. Just because Bulaga was there and all those silly mock drafters around the country had him going top 10 doesn't mean he is a lead-pipe cinch to become a player. It doesn't happen that way. There are significant reservations about Bulaga and just how good he can be as a pro. Now if the pick had been Hughes and I had typed in the 18 or so comments that I had, it would have been a different story. I can't remember one scout ripping Hughes for anything. Height would be the only thing (6-2), and that was very, very mild. The guy can rush the passer. I am pointing out that it's one thing to believe all the hype and team-related commentary and just assume Bulaga is this valuable LT. It may not turn out that way at all.

Q:
Dave,
Milwaukee
- Bob, does the fact that this is a noncap year, which also means there is no minimum salary put the job of a guy like Donald Lee even in more danger? In other words does the possibility of saving some money come into play in the Pack's decision to draft a TE and, if so, will this be a trend throughout the league thus freeing up some middle of the road veteran players?

A: Bob McGinn
- Dave: Possibly. But based on Lee's performance in 2009, he is reaching the point where he might have to be replaced. That would hold true cap or no cap. It's up to Lee. He has got to catch the ball better in order to squeeze out another season.

Q:
Aaron,
Monterey, Ca
- Bob--- Thanks for the wonderful draft coverage, everyone appreciates your time and effort. I had a question about Thompson's draft philosophy. It's apparent that he doesn't like wading into free agency and prefers building his team through the draft, however if we look at the Mike Neal selection one must conclude that either Jolly or Jenkins or both will be gone next year. Whats the point in letting a good player like Jolly or Jenkins go? I thought the idea was to keep the players that you drafted that contribute to the team and become good players. I can understand with Jolly because of the legal issues, but as a player I think he adds something, I can't imagine Neal could replace at this point. This type of thing worries me because Finley will soon be a free agent and we absolutely cannot let him go.

A: Bob McGinn
- Aaron: I can't imagine that the GBP wouldn't take care of Jolly and Jenkins in the future if they remain good players. But injuries hit and you never know when another DE will be needed. I wish I knew more about Neal. I have very little time in the fall to watch college games. But the scouts say he does have some pass rush. More than Jolly, certainly. If he can develop into a rusher of Jenkins' caliber, then GBP will have something. There were some other good 5T's on the board when GB took Neal. The key is more player than position. Before you know it, you need everything, anyway.

Q:
george,
san diego
- Great to hear from you. I got your book as a present and really enjoyed it. I have two questions for you. 1) Given that Thompson felt that the value of the players taken was high (or else why would he take them), do you see a senario of any of the players making an impact (baring injury) this year?
2) You have a great network of scouts and player personnels from the league, can you tell us what these people think of the Todd McShay/ Mel Kipers/ and other NFL PUNDITs.
Thanks for taking my question.

A: Bob McGinn
- George: My guess is that three or four of these players will be called upon to have an impact in 2010. Will they respond? I do not know. As for others in the media, I almost never discuss them with scouts. The last thing I will do is waste their time or mine discussing other reporters. I operate in a vacuum when it comes to all that stuff on TV. Never turn it on. You can watch all that. I figure if you take the time to read what I write it might as well just be me based on what the scouts say.

Q:
Dan,
Irvine, CA
- Awesome job on the draft once again, Bob. I don't what we'd do without you. I feel I owe you a nice bottle of California Cab for all your hard work. (let me know...send me some kind of signal) Question: I believe Packerland is happy with the Bulaga pick. Just kinda wondering if Clifton is? Is he going to welcome him with open arms, or is it more like, "back off Bulaga"! (not ready to give up my job just yet...)

A: Bob McGinn
- Dan: Good point, Dan. My hunch would be that Clifton will get in even better shape and will play well this season provided he doesn't miss too many games with injuries. At Chad's age, I can see him being very helpful to Bulaga. There will be competition, obviously, but knowing Clifton, I think he will enjoy sharing some of the things that he picked up from guys like Earl Dotson and Mike Wahle when he was young.

Q:
keyhotay,
lima, peru
- your shrewd speculation about the possibility of getting hughes in D1 and OT charles brown in D2 is about enough to kill me, but i'm sure you would be the first to admit that the draft is very fluid and chocked full of ifs and buts, so i'm going to just go with what we ended up getting. maybe i'm crazy, but i liked our draft. everyone disses the neal pick, but i have to tell you, being an IU alum, i hate everything about purdue, yet i have to admit they produce a lot of good, hard-working, smart football players...and never a head case. i would be happy with a johnny jolly replacement-clone. how do you see neal developing?

A: Bob McGinn
- KH: If Neal lasts as long as Jeff Zgonina, GB will have gotten something. But remember this, there were a lot of good 5T's available when GB took Neal. These are the players you should value to know if TT got value from Neal: Alex Carrington, D'Anthony Smith, Corey Peters. Maybe Earl Mitchell was too short to be a 5T but he is one terrific inside pass rusher for the nickel. And many scouts really liked Daniel Te'o-Nesheim as a Sam backer. He would have been a solid D2 pick for GB.

Q:
John S.,
Shorewood, WI
- Hi Bob, TE draft pick Andrew Quarless would have gone higher if it weren't for character issues. In your experience, what are the chances that a guy with character problems actually comes around psychologically as a pro? Are there any recent examples of talented Packer draftees with character issues who came around and became productive team players? Any examples of talented draftees who didn't?

A: Bob McGinn
- John: There are teams that didn't even had Quarless on the board. Excuse the language, but the operative word in the industry this year was "turd." Those you don't want. I was surprised Mark Murphy permitted Ted Thompson to make that selection. Murphy was an AD in the Big Ten when Quarless was having his problems with alcohol. This isn't a pick that the Packers had to make. As I said, I know several teams who simply would not have dealt with the guy. Just let somebody else inherit that problem. As for the past...Torrance Marshall was a bum at Oklahoma and was a bum in GB. The Packers sent LB coach Bo Pelini to Norman to sit down with him. Pelini's positive recommendation led to the D3 pick. Well, you saw what Pelini's judgment was worth. DT Cletidus Hunt failed a drug test at the combine. He actually had a pretty darn good career in GB, all things considered. But in the end character was one of the factors that got him.

Q:
Mike,
Onalaska
- Bob-Is TT accountable to no one?There was no pass rush against playoff caliber teams when Matthews was doubled which allowed our pathetic Busch inhabited secondary to be annihilated.He drafts no cover corners or Olb's capable of rushing the passer and states "we are working on it" and then signs a couple free agents?This guy is wrapped up in his evaluations of college players and doesnt have the ability to fill primary needs necessary to win championships.Is TT only concerned with an above .500 record and keeping his job and afraid to make mistakes and if so why doesnt anyone hold him accountable?

A: Bob McGinn
- Mike: TT is very much accountable to Mark Murphy and the executive committee. The pass rush went by the boards when he took Bulaga over Hughes, and then decided not to give up a lot to trade up in D2 for Koa Misi or Sergio Kindle. And let's be real ... this team is not that bad off at CB. Quite a few clubs would kill to have GB's depth chart at CB. Like I said, it was his responsibility to augment that pass rush. It's possible he didn't get that done. We shall see. But as I said earlier, within 12 to 18 months the Packers might need everything everywhere anyway. It's about getting good players regardless of positiion. That is the No. 1 key to this whole deal.

Q:
Calvin B,
Arlington Heights
- Hi Bob - Considering all the clamoring by fans and experts to draft an outside LB to replace Kampman, do you think signing Brandon Chillar for 4 yrs & $21 million last December, signal that the Packers have intentions of having him starting outside opposite of Matthews?

A: Bob McGinn
- Cal: No, I don't think so. Chillar just isn't that big and that strong to play base downs outside in a 3-4. He will get his snaps in relief in base inside and on passing-down packages.

Q:
Jack ,
Deadwood
- Judge Parins relieved Bart Starr of his GM duties in 1981. The Packers never hired anothe GM until 1989. Who made the drafting and personal decisions in those eight years? Seems like the Judge had no business running the Packers.

A: Bob McGinn
- Jack: The late Dick Corrick along with Starr made the picks in the early 1980s. When Parins hired Forrest Gregg in 1984, Gregg had final say in the draft room and he certainly did exercise it. In 1987, Tom Braatz was hired in a 50-50 arrangement with Gregg. When Gregg left, Braatz and Infante had a 50-50 say in the draft room. When Wolf replaced Braatz in 1991, power in draft room went to Wolf.

Q:
Cheesehead Sports Nut,
Chicago, IL
- Ted Thompson prescribes to the "best player available" approach in the draft. Instead of drafting
Michael Neal (DT, Purdue) 56th overall, there were a couple of guys I liked more. Terrence Cody (DT from Alabama went 57 to the Baltimore Ravens): might have some weight problems but is a big bull to plug in the middle of the 3-4 with Pickett and allow Raji to move to defensive end. Ben Tate (RB from Auburn went 58 to the Houston Texans): according to Football Outsiders has the best combination of size and speed of any running back in the entire draft (in 2008 that guy was Chris Johnson). Charles Brown (OT from USC went 64 to New Orleans Saints): I know the Packers took Buluga in the first round but tackles come in twos for the Packers (Clifton and Tauscher in the same draft) and Brown looks to have all the tools to excel at offensive tackle in the NFL. What are your thoughts?

A: Bob McGinn
- CSN: GB already has two NTs in Pickett and Raji. They needed Cody like a collective hole in the head. Tate certainly is a great workout but I can't say he's better than Grant. Heck, Starks might turn out to be as good. Having taken Bulaga in D1, they didn't need Brown in D2. However, they might have gotten a good T-G in Newhouse in D5. Remember, Tauscher was a D7.

Q:
John,
Grand Rapids MI
- So Bob, I could have sworn that I read that exact article last year about GB wanting to improve special teams. Last year, it was all about how these extra lb's on the 3/4 defense would help so much on special teams. Plus we had a new coach and increased emphasis on special teams play, supposedly.
Didn't work last year--and this year, with no new kicker, no proven punter, no new return guys and no new cover guys--and the same coach--is there any reason to think there will be any improvement this year?
Thanks
John

A: Bob McGinn
- John: Let's face it. TT, MM and SS (Slocum) have their work cut out for them on ST. There should be improvement, if only by default. GB has been just terrible on teams four of the last five years. There are questions all over the place.

A: Bob McGinn
- Ed: No. But they do have Woodson (top two in game CB), Harris (he'll be back) and Tramon Williams. That's not a bad start. TT is thinking that among Lee, Underwood, Blackmon, Ford, Bell and Sam Shields, one or two will come through. Maybe they won't and it will all fall apart, but his position does seem reasonable.

Q:
Matt K.,
St. Cloud, MN
- WHAT THE HECK DO I KNOW... but it seemed like the unexpected availability of Bulaga scuttled Plan A (LB 1, OT/CB 2-3) and GB didn't have a viable Plan B when the top LBs and CBs were off the board by pick 56. With so many teams employing the 3-4, I think the team probably should have pulled the trigger on a trade up in the 2nd. Yeah, I know, hindsight is 20/20. What's your take?

A: Bob McGinn
- Matt: It would have taken a heck of a lot to go from 56 to say 40, where Misi went. I agree. After Bulaga, it all went kind of haywire. But if you believe that Bulaga is going to be a Ken Ruettgers or Chad Clifton, then what happened after him isn't that crucial.

Q:
Grant,
Hudson
- Bob, why do they keep saying that Bulaga is "safe" when the scouting reports sound decidedly hit or miss. Especially given his short arms. Sounds to me like he can easily bust.

A: Bob McGinn
- Grant: HE is safe in the sense that he came from Iowa and is dedicated and has adequate talent. HE can bust because he struggled at times in protection and isn't a dominating run blocker.

Q:
Hugo,
Honolulu
- Bob, Aloha from Hawaii. Terrific summary and analysis as usual. With the evolution of the internet, it seems there are more armchair critics/scouts than ever before. Much of what is written about regarding prospects are rubbish. Why is it that some GMs from other teams give their opinion regarding prospects? Is this to throw people off from whom the GM seems interested in? Nowadays I can find a favorable evaluation on any player drafted, if I look deep enough. How do you make sense of all the evaluations (i'm not even going to talk about ESPN) and draw your own conclusions about draft prospects? Do you have trusted sources or do you look at the players' stat sheets? It really bothers me how people are "grading" team drafts when the drafted players haven't even yet practiced, let alone play with the team! Thanks and come visit Hawaii if you get the chance.

A: Bob McGinn
- Hugo: Greetings to you. The post-draft grades are insane. I rely heavily on the many team executives who give me their team. Why do they do it? To help me know the game and present what they tell me to the readers. Because they know I'm serious about football, have done this for years and can be trusted implicitly. They know this market is all NFL football and is appreciative of their time and input.

Q:
Michael Mullendore,
Ellicott City, Md.
- Please correct me if I am off base here, but it seems to me from the reading I have done on the Packer draft that, except for Neal, every one of the players drafted was projected to be drafted higher than the where the Packers got them. The relative value of the talking heads aside, it would seem the Packers got very good value in this draft. Am I out to lunch here?

A: Bob McGinn
- MM: Hard to make those kind of judgments. Bulaga seemed to be a D1, Neal seemed to be a D3 or D4, Burnett seemed to be a D3, Newhouse seemed to be a D4-D6, Quarless seemed to be D3-D6, Starks I'm not sure and Wilson I'm not sure.

Q:
Tabitha,
Hudson
- Mr. McGinn, what's the deal with Sam Shields? Is he going to sign, and does he have a chance? 4.30 speed sounds enticing.
Thanks again for your terrific draft coverage.

A: Bob McGinn
- Tabitha: Yes, sorry, we did leave that open ended in Sunday coverage. Shields did sign. He has great speed.

Q:
Michael ,
Lake Geneva, WI
- I bought your Super Bowl book and bought one for my brother-in-law for Christmas. It was a great book! Unfortunately, I ended up reliving the 78' Cowboys loss to the Steelers. I was only nine, but I still remember the call on Benny Barnes with Lynn Swann. Cowboys could have overcome the Jackie Smith drop and the Randy White fumble, but that was a huge gift.
Anyways, onto the Packers, why not take a one year flyer on Adam Jones? With Collins and Woodson as the leaders of that secondary? We gave Koren Robinson a shot...(I know it was different, but is it that big a risk? No salary cap ramifications?)

A: Bob McGinn
- Michael: Glad you guys liked the SB book .. Pacman? No way. He didn't cover that well in Dallas, he's been out for a while now. No team needs him. Why do that? There are enough problems in a locker room already. Some are just waiting to explode. You just don't need people like that.

Q:
Sophia,
Hudson
- Bob, why does Rich Goselin get more credit - from the national talking heads - than you for being such a draft guru journalist? (as if you care). Do you know Goose, and how does your analysis differ than his?
Nonetheless, keep up the outstanding work. We're glad you're with us!

A: Bob McGinn
- Sophia: Goose is a great friend of mine and does a wonderful job. Just proud that in some of these mock draft polls and top 100 polls, two old newspaper guys still can fare pretty well. Rick Gosselin is a tough, committed and informed pro.

Q:
Pete,
Woodbury
- Bob, I have this hairbrained idea that Josh Bell is actually pretty decent. Wasn't he a mid-round pick by Denver in 2008? Does he have a chance, and how does he stack up against Underwood?

A: Bob McGinn
- Pete: Bell was a Bronc FA in 2008. Hairbrained? You said it, Peter, not me. Sorry to rain on your parade. Underwood could be a player. Not Bell.

Q:
Brian,
Milwaukee
- Hi Bob, Not sure who said this "it is always better to cut a player to early, than hang on to him to long" Does this apply to Breno and Barbre? Did TT draft the best available at #23? There appears to be a wide variety of opinion on Bulgala. I missed the book signings due to my travel. Anyway I could get the book signed? Thanks

A: Bob McGinn
- Brian: Bill Walsh was a master at cutting veterans before their usefulness ran out. Breno was never useful. Same for Barbre. TT took the best available OL at 23. If you'd like to buy a signed copy of The Ultimate Super Bowl Book, email me at: bmccginn@journalsentinel.com and we'll take care of you. Thanks.

Q:
John ,
Milwaukee
- Bob, When you speak with scouts do they mention the coaching these kids recieved in college. Seems like Iowa coach gets a lot of love.. Also seems like there are opportunities with kids who have skills but were either poorly coached or not used correctly(USC, Texas)... Can you mentioned some of the well thought of programs and maybe some that are not well thought of? thanks

A: Bob McGinn
- John: First, I better disclose this. My son, Charlie, is a senior at Iowa, and fot last nine months has worked unpaid in the Iowa football office on recruiting, etc. Having said that, Kirk Ferentz and his veteran staff at Iowa has received as much if not more praise than any staff in the US for years. Scouts just like the old-school toughness and schemes that his program incorporates. On the other hand, USC and Texas get ripped all the time for being soft and sending altogether too many disappointing players to the NFL. Pat Hill at Fresno State is a big scout guy. Joe Paterno isn't highly thought of. Those are a few who come to mind.

Q:
Tom,
Cincinnati
- Hi Bob, thanks for all your hard work. This might be a tall order but I was wondering if you had any draft capsule information on Clifton and Tauscher when they were entering the league. I realize with Tauscher not going until round 7 it might not be available. Either way, thanks.

A: Bob McGinn
- Tom: Been doing the draft series for JS since 1992 so Clifton's bio is available somewhere in the archives. Not sure if Tauscher made the top 10 list at guard or not in 2000. I sort of think he did /// Well, faithful readers, thanks for all your interest and queries. That will wrap it up for another draft and chat. Thanks to all...Bob McGinn